ARHA NOW Vol. 5 Issue #1

ARHANOW

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE ALABAMA RESTAURANT & HOSPITALITY ALLIANCE

2016 Prostart速

PAID

VOLUME 5 ISSUE #1

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE

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CARLE PLACE, NY PERMIT NO 35

STUDENT INVITATIONAL

VOLUME 5 ISSUE #1

POWER TO THE

ELECTRIC KITCHEN

Š 2016 Alabama Power Company

With reduced cleanup time, lower maintenance cost, and longer equipment life, electric cooking gives you a more efficient and cooler kitchen. When you add in faster preheating, faster recovery and less product shrinkage, you’ll see how electricity gives you the power to save while giving your menu the preparation it deserves. Call 1.888.430.5787 to learn more about the benefits of electric cooking.

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INSIDE. 2016 PROSTART STUDENT INVITATIONAL RECAP FROM THE PRESIDENT

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ARHA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE ALABAMA RESTAURANT & HOSPITALITY ALLIANCE

MEMBER ACHIEVEMENTS

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phone: 334.244.1320

2016 STARS OF THE INDUSTRY AWARDS

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2016 GRAND PINEAPPLE GOLF TOURNAMENT

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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

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2016 PROSTART COMPETITION RECAP

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GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS REPORT

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2016 RESTAURANT INDUSTRY AT A GLANCE

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2015 LODGING ECONOMIC OVERVIEW

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Director of Communications

2016 NRA PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONFERENCE

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LISA LOTT

2016 AH&LA LEGISLATIVE SUMMIT

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2016 TASTE OF THE RIVER REGION RECAP

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JAMES BEARD ALABAMA SEMIFINALISTS

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ARHANOW fax: 334.244.9800 61B Market Place Montgomery, AL 36117 www.arhaonline.com

MINDY HANAN President & CEO

ALISON INGLE

Director of Administration & Special Events

SHEA PERKINS Director of Member Relations

SUSAN STARR Director of Education

WHY THE EEOC WANTS TO KNOW WHAT YOU PAY YOUR EMPLOYEES

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from the

PRESIDENT

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MINDY HANAN President & CEO, ARHA

s I write this it is only March and ARHA has already accomplished in so much 2016. The Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Alliance has been taking care of business on your behalf. We sucessfully pre-empted minimum wage, scheduling and other benefit mandates. In addition, it is expected that the bill to appropriately tax AirBnB and other online travel companies will successfully make its way through the Legislature. I would like to express my personal gratitude to our lobbyist, Miller Development Group. Jeff and Deborah Miller have worked tirelessly to further our legislative agenda. The National Restaurant Association was very instrumental in our success as well.

The NRA provided monetary, legal and communication resources without which we could not have succesful.

The ARHA is achieving increases in membership and engagement.

We need to continue to increase our advocacy at local, state and federal levels. There will be many other issues that affect your business as we progress through the year. At this time, it is still unknown when the Department of Labor’s new overtime rules will go into effect and the EEOC recently announced their intent to increase by nearly 2000% the amount of data they will require EEO-1 reporters to collect. The ARHA will be here to help educate and reduce the impact these regulations will have on our members.

Congratulations to Moody High School’s instructor Melissa Allphin!

For the first time, we had a single high school win both the culinary and management competitions at ProStart.

Moody High School’s commitment to excellence in this area is a great example of what is right in education.

Thank you to all the volunteers who participated to make this event a success! ProStart is a wonderful program that brings together the industry and the classroom. If you are interested in learning how you can participate please call Susan Starr at the ARHA office. The school has an online fundraiser at Gofundme.com to help fund their trip to the National ProStart Competition. Search for St. Clair County Culinary if you would like to make a donation.

We are excited about the momentum that the Alliance is creating. We ask that you help us by participating in the 2016 Legislative Day in Montgomery on April 26.

It’s a wonderful opportunity to educate the legislature, media and Alabamians about the importance of our industry. It’s your chance to talk directly to lawmakers about your concerns. Thank you for your efforts on behalf of the industry and your active participation in the Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Alliance.

Your involvement and contributions to the industry are critical to our success.

Please let us know how we can be of service to you.

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Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Alliance

BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS Chairman

Brandt Tucker Willies Wings and Stuff, Auburn

Vice Chairman

Tony Smith Longhorn Steakhouse, Birmingham

Treasurer

Hans van der Reijden The Hotel at Auburn University, Auburn

Secretary

Eric Duggan Eastside Grille, Montgomery

Immediate Past Chairman

Mark Noyes Hotel Derek, Houston, Texas

President/CEO

Mindy Hanan ARHA, Montgomery

NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES NRA–Bob Omainsky, Fried Stewed & Nude Inc. AH&LA –Pedro Mandoki, Mandoki Hospitality, Gulf Shores

BOARD MEMBERS Marie Arighi

Von Braun Center

Pedro Mandoki

Gulf Shores Plantation

Bob Baumhower

Aloha Hospitality

Stephen Marino

AlaCOMP

Mike Bertani

S&D Coffee

Leo Maurelli

Hotel at Auburn University

Natalie Bickel

Outback Steakhouse

Betsy McAtee

Dreamland Holding Company

Kent Blackinton

Renaissance Riverview Plaza

Alvin Niuh

University of Alabama

Byran Caldwell

Heartland Payment Systems

Bob Omainsky

Fried Stewed & Nude Inc.

Matt Patel

RAM Hotels

Woody Cheatham Merchants Foodservice David Clark

Spectrum Resorts

Rikesh Patel

Tuscaloosa Hospitality

Patti Culp

Alabama Travel Council

Michael Powell

Royal Cup Coffee

Peter D’Andrea

Wind Creek Hospitality

Eric Pullen

Coastal Human Resource Group

Luis del Valle

Cooper Restaurants

Wayne Reaves

Manna Enterprises

Randal Gresham

A&P Social

Tami Reist

Ala. Mountain Lakes Tourist Association

Penny Groux

Perdido Beach Resort

James Robinson

Alabama Gas Corporation

Sara Hamlin

Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau

Rick Smith, Rick

Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa

Robert Smith

Alabama Power Company

Todd Hansen

US Foods

Gil Stiff

TSC Associates

Nick Hartmann

Alabama Power Company

Clayton Taylor

Alabama Insurance Exchange

George Lane

Wood Fruitticher Food Service

Brandon Thrash

Faulkner State Community College

Bill Lloyd

Wilhagan’s of Tuscaloosa

Toby Wilson

Wilson Hospitality

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OMAINSKY selected to join NRA Board The National Restaurant Association and its Educational Foundation introduced their 2016 slate of officers, board members and trustees. President and CEO Dawn Sweeney said the officers and board were essential to the Association’s successful work on behalf of the foodservice industry.

“This year, our boards are fortunate to be led by foodservice veterans Joseph Kadow of Bloomin’ Brands Inc. and Lorna Donatone of Sodexo,” Sweeney said. “Their leadership and expertise will be vital in representing our industry and our mission in the year ahead.”

Mobile’s Wintzell’s Oyster House owner Bob Omainsky (Fried Stewed Nude, Inc.) has been selected to join the National Restaurant Association’s board of directors for a three-year term. He was one of 10 other noteworthy representatives elected across the country to join the board, as was announced at NRA’s first annual meeting held BOB OMAINSKY recently in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Fried Stewed Nude, Inc. With more than 40,000 members representing upwards of 500,000 food service establishments, the NRA is governed by a board of directors comprising 75 voting members nationally. Omainsky was nominated last April and interviewed in Chicago by an NRA board subcommittee. Approval was finalized in December by a majority vote.

Bob Omainsky owns three Wintzell’s eateries in the Mobile area, including the original landmark location in downtown Mobile. He previously worked for Cracker Barrel and Shooters Waterfront in a career spanning nearly 40 years. In 2013, he was named ARHA’s Restaurateur of the Year. He is a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill.

AUBURN CHEFS ATTEND South Beach Food & Wine Festival The Hotel at Auburn University’s very own executive chef, Chef Leonardo Maurelli, and Chef David Bancroft, of Auburn’s Acre restaurant, participated in the South Beach Food & Wine Festival for the first time in February.

They were chosen to work closely with Chef Michel Nischan at the “Best of the Best” tasting table. Chef Michel Nischan is a renowned chef in addition to a threetime James Beard Foundation Award winner.

CHEF LEO MAURELLI The Hotel at Auburn University

CHEF DAVID BANCROFT Acre, Auburn

The “Best of the Best” is an event sponsored by the South Beach Food & Wine Festival. This particular event offers guests the rare and unique opportunity to directly sample the best and most gourmet creations from 60 of the nation’s top chefs. These samples are paired with more than 100 wines.

After working alongside Chef Michel at last year’s Hospitality Gala, which has served as the main fundraising event for the Hospitality Management program at Auburn University since 1992, both Chef Leo and David were personally asked by Chef Michel to assist with the tasting table that will be featured at the festival.

“It is a huge honor to have such a decorated, prolific and award winning chef, like Michel, think highly enough of you to ask for your assistance and participation,” said Chef Leo. The South Beach Food & Wine Festival is an annual festival held in South Florida. This four-day destination event features the world’s most renowned wine and spirits producers, chefs and culinary personalities.

NEW DATES & LOCATION!

WHY SAVE THE DATE?

Everything to make your operation run

FASTER. CLEANER. BETTER. TASTIER.

FREE Parking EASY Road Access 200+ Exhibitors Live Tattoo Artist Show Specials New Products Culinary Demos Booze Seriously, a lot.

www.AtlantaFoodserviceExpo.com

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Save the Date Monday, September 26, 2016 Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center Visit AHRA.com to learn more about nominations and sponsorship.

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Front of the House Hospitality Employee of the Year

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Back of the House Hospitality Employee of the Year

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Front of the House Restaurant Employee of the Year

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Back of the House Restaurant Employee of the Year

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Hospitality Department Manager of the Year

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Restaurant Manager of the Year

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Chef of the Year

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Bartender of the Year

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Supplier of the Year

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Tourism Promoter of the Year

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Restaurateur of the Year

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Hotelier of the Year

Restaurant, Hospitality and Tourism Challenge • September 27 • Montgomery Shot-Gun Start | Four-Man Scramble | $150 per golfer/$600 per team Registration includes golf, cart, range balls, breakfast, beverages and fabulous prizes.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: •

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Platinum Sponsorship ($5,000): includes 4 golfers, course signage, premium hole sponsorship, recognition in magazine

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Beverage Cart Sponsor ($750)

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Booth on Golf Course ($350)

Gold Sponsorship ($2,500): includes 4 golfers, hole sponsorship and course signage

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Hole Sponsor ($150)

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Non-Golfer Cart ($75): includes golf to network with golfers

Silver Sponsorship ($1,000): includes 2 golfers, hole sponsorship and course signage

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WELCOME. New Members RESTAURANT Marco’s Pizza - Helena

Helena

278 Restaurant

Gadsden

301 Bistro, Bar & Beer Garden

Tuscaloosa

Bloomin’ Brands

Birmingham

Bonefish Grille

Alabama

Carrabba’s Italian Grill

Alabama

Checkers Restaurant

Opelika

Dunkin Donuts

Pelham

Dunkin Donuts

Birmingham

Dunkin Donuts

Bessemer

Dunkin Donuts

Homewood

El Paso Mexican Grill

Foley

FC Enterprises

Snellville, GA

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse

Birmingham

Flip Burger Boutique

Birmingham

Fuzzy’s Taco Shop

Mobile

Lake Martin Pizza Co

Dadeville

Popeyes Restaurant

Auburn

SEC Restaurant Group Inc (Pizza Hut) 15 locations Warehouse Bakery and Donuts

Fairhope

Zaxby’s - Evergreen

Evergreen

Flip Burger Boutique - Birmingham

Checkers Restaurant, Opelika

LODGING Courtyard Marriott

Phenix City

ALLIED Carr Allison

Birmingham

InTime Staffing

Montgomery

Magic City Parking Systems

Homewood

Courtyard Marriott, Phenix City

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2016 Alabama Prostart

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Student Invitational

COMPETITION RECAP. JEFFERSON STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE BIRMINGHAM, AL | FEBRUARY 6, 2016

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2016 COMPETITION RESULTS CULINARY: Moody High School

1st Place

McAdory High School

2nd Place

Fort Payne High School

3rd Place

MANAGEMENT: Moody High School

1st Place

Calhoun County Career Tech

2nd Place

Selma High School

3rd Place

MOODY HIGH SCHOOL 1st Place Culinary & Management Team The 2016 Annual ProStart® Student Invitational was held Saturday, February 6 at The Culinary & Hospitality Institute at Jefferson State Community College in Birmingham.

will represent Alabama in the 2016 National ProStart® Invitational in Dallas, Texas in late April.

Sixteen total teams participated in both culinary and management competitions. Scholarships totaling over $500,000 were awarded to all the winning teams.

Over 25 of the state’s premier chefs, instructors and restauranteurs judged the competition providing valuable feedback to the students.

The 1st place culinary team were all awarded full twoyear scholarships to The Culinary & Hospitality Institute at Jefferson State Community College. The top three teams in both divisions were awarded scholarships from Louisiana Culinary Institute, Mississippi University for Women, Culinard, The Culinary Institute of Virginia College, The Culinary Institute of America, The Arts Institute, Johnson & Wales, and New England Culinary Institute.

ProStart® is a nationwide, two-year program for high school students that develops the best and brightest talent into tomorrow’s industry leaders. From culinary techniques to management skills, ProStart®’s industrydriven curriculum provides real-world educational opportunities and builds practical skills and a foundation that will last a lifetime.

By bringing industry and the classroom together, ProStart® gives students a platform to discover new interests and talents and opens doors for fulfilling careers. The curriculum teaches all facets of the restaurant and foodservice industry, inspires students to succeed and sets a high standard of excellence for students and the industry.

During the culinary competition, the judges score the teams on numerous factors including knife skills, cooking procedures, presentation, taste, sanitation and teamwork.

Teams participating in the management competition demonstrated their knowledge by developing a restaurant concept and delivering a presentation to the judges as if they are investors.

More than 1,000 high school students currently participate in ProStart® Hospitality and Tourism Career and Technical Education programs statewide. The program is growing fast and on its way to becoming a talent pipeline for careers in Alabama’s up and coming foodservice industry.

For the first time in our state’s competition history, a single high school team won 1st Place in both the culinary and management competitions. Moody High School

ProStart® is supported and operated by the Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Alliance Foundation (ARHAF) in partnership with the NRA Educational Foundation.

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McADORY HIGH SCHOOL 2nd Place Culinary Team

FORT PAYNE HIGH SCHOOL 3rd Place Culinary Team

CALHOUN COUNTY CAREER TECH 2nd Place Management Team

SELMA HIGH SCHOOL 3rd Place Managment Team

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LegislativeREPORT ARHA Achieves a Milestone in the 2016 Session; A Salute to Representative David Faulkner

DEBORAH MILLER Miller Development Group

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RHA has consistently been at the forefront of issues that affect your bottom line and your business. However, none has been as daunting as what has been seen this year. With the threat of an increase in minimum wage in not only Birmingham but several other municipalities looming, ARHA rolled up their sleeves determined to protect their members.

Everyone was aware this issue had to be addressed in the 2016 session. However, when Birmingham sped up their time for enactment of the ordinance increasing the minimum wage to beat the clock on the legislation that was pending in the Alabama legislature all out panic set in. And so the clock was ticking and we all sensed a ticking time bomb.

And, rest assured, to take on the task of spearheading this issue was not for the weak of heart. There were numerous editorials suggesting the need for a higher minimum wage

and an ongoing organized effort to carry on protests in many towns; still buses of advocates flocked to the statehouse determined to “kill� the bill to pre-empt the local minimum wage. Further, ongoing protests and the threat of boycotting businesses that expressed support for the state legislation also loomed.

and much more to aid in our efforts.

They were there every step of the way and you should support and thank them. They also developed a plan for continuing to strengthen the grassroots advocacy so we will be better postured to tackle tough issues in the governmental arena especially on the local level.

The National Restaurant Association aided ARHA in a big way; none as important as the daunting task of mounting a legal challenge if the Birmingham ordinance passed prior to the state-wide preemption bill. This burden fell solely with ARHA and NRA. Preparation entailed constant communication with NRA for legal strategies and identifying Alabama counsel. Virtually every law firm in Birmingham with the skill set to mount the legal challenge had a conflict. We hired a law firm to prepare to plead for injunctive relief before a Judge to stall the implementation of the ordinance.

This preparation also contemplated a hearing before the Alabama Supreme Court.

While several groups endorsed the bill, it was clear at the end of the day, the most engaged groups were the Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Alliance, the National Restaurant Association, the Alabama Retail Association. The governmental affairs team at the Retail Association was an effective partner.

I would be remiss not to tout the enormous help from the National Restaurant Association. The resources deployed were unsurpassed in what I have seen in my tenure as a lobbyist for more than 20 years. The NRA provided financial resources, polling, legal strategy, messaging to targeted members of the legislature

Tempers flared as the bill pitted legislator against legislator.

Raising the minimum wage is a cornerstone of the platform unveiled by the Democratic members in the legislature. Still there were other challenges from Republicans that favor local control and home rule.

REPRESENTATIVE DAVID FAULKNER-A CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS: A very special thanks should go out to the courageous work of Representative David Faulkner who quite literally shepherded the bill throughout the process. His leadership is unsurpassed and ARHA owes a deep debt of gratitude to him. He tirelessly worked to ensure

2016 LEGISLATIVE SESSION February 2 - May 16

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the passage of the bill prior to the enactment of the Birmingham ordinance. Rep. Faulkner endured personal attacks publicly but was never deterred. Although he is a freshman legislator, ARHA members should prepare to follow his blossoming career if he chooses to stay in the political arena. His keen understanding of the inner workings of not only the legislature but other interpersonal relationships and allies showed a sense of maturity of a long time veteran.

each of you to not let this article fall on deaf ears.

Your association needs and deserves your support and participation. I challenge you to recruit at least one new member, I challenge you to give to our PAC that is less than par as we prepare to support candidates who fight everyday on the state and local levels for you and I challenge you to engage when ARHA requests that you contact your legislators. ARHA: Your Business is our

Business; Your Bottom line is our Bottom line.

Other soldiers included Rep. Arnold Mooney, the ARHA 2015 Legislator of the Year, Sen. Jabo Waggoner, who stood at the microphone through countless hours of filibuster of the bill, Sen. Del Marsh who serves as the Pro Tem of the Alabama Senate and the House and Senate leadership.

FIRST BILL OF GENERAL INTEREST SIGNED

BY THE GOVERNOR INTO LAW: Thus ARHA and its predecessor organizations reached a “FIRST” this legislative session in the Alabama legislature. ACT No. 2016-18 became the first bill of general interest signed by Governor Bentley in the 2016 session and in record time. The ARHA and its predecessor organizations have certainly been instrumental in protecting its members by passing, defeating and amending legislation but this is clearly a milestone for us to pass the first general bill in any session.

BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE! Besides the normal taking care of business with a plethora of issues pending, your ARHA team has worked several years to persuade the Alabama Department of Revenue to tackle the need for a level playing field in the hotel industry.

A bill is now traveling through the legislature that addresses transient occupancy and taxes Airbnb. The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) weighed in to ensure that our laws will require audits, reports and other accountability measures. Those concerns are met in other Revenue Code Sections. The bill has some opposition in its current form, but potential amendments are not expected to thwart the intended regulation of Airbnb.

A county, municipality, or any other political subdivision of this state shall not enact or administer any ordinance, policy, rule, or other mandate requiring an employer to provide any employee, class of employees, or independent contractor with any employment benefit, including, but not limited to, paid or unpaid leave, vacation, wage, or work schedule, that is not required by state or federal law, and shall not require an employer to compensate an employee, class of employees, or independent contractor for any vacation or other form of leave for which state or federal law does not require the employee, class of employees, or independent contractor to be compensated.

To address the tax disparity for online hotel booking companies, a contract was signed between the online services and the State of Alabama to require them to remit the appropriate tax to the State and the City and County where the booked room/hotel is domiciled.

MORE TO COME: Other issues continue to plaque our industry and we continue to work toward solutions. I challenge

VISIT ARHAONLINE.COM TO LEARN MORE.

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Alabama

RESTAURANT INDUSTRY AT A GLANCE Restaurants are a driving force in Alabama’s economy. They provide jobs and build careers for thousands of people, and play a vital role in local communities throughout the state.

7,673

185,100

Eating and drinking place locations in Alabama in 2014

Restaurant and foodservice jobs in Alabama in 2016 = 11% of employment in the state

$7.8 billion

And by 2026, that number is projected to grow by 13.3%

Projected sales in Alabama’s restaurants in 2016

= 24,600 additional jobs, for a total of 209,700

HOW BIG IS AMERICA’S RESTAURANT INDUSTRY?

LOCATIONS SALES EMPLOYMENT

1 MILLION+ serving millions every day $783 BILLION = 4% of the U.S. GDP 14.4 MILLION PEOPLE = 10% of the nation’s workforce

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Restaurant.org • AlabamaRestaurants.com © 2016 National Restaurant Association. All rights reserved.

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ALABAMA

LODGING ECONOMIC OVERVIEW 2015*

ALABAMA RESTAURANT & HOSPITALITY ALLIANCE

AMERICA’S HOTELS: STRENGTHENING THE ECONOMY IN EVERY STATE. Alabama’s hotels are an important segment of the state’s economy.

5.4% of all jobs in the state are directly or indirectly related to the lodging industry, as part of the greater travel sector, with hotels, motels, resorts, or lodges helping to generate $432 million in tax revenue for state and local governments.

Many of our properties are small businesses, a segment of the economy responsible for 48.2% of jobs in the state.

Our industry reaches far beyond just providing our guests with comfortable rooms or convenient meeting spaces—we are interlinked with many other industries, such as transportation, restaurants, agriculture, manufacturing, and recreation supporting $2.1 billion in total sales throughout the state.

STATE ECONOMIC FACTS

16,247

917

LODGING JOBS IN 2014

JOBS

$348 MILLION IN EMPLOYEE WAGES

LODGING PROPERTIES

PROPERTIES

72,165

HOTEL ROOMS

Figures are derived from industry statistical research, Small Business Administration, STR, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau data, U.S. Travel Association, and World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).

Figures are based on properties with 15 rooms or more, as of July 2014.

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2016 NRA PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONFERENCE APRIL 12-13, 2016 | WASHINGTON, D.C. With the election year looming, the NRA is looking forward to a high-impact, high-stakes National Public Affairs Conference, April 12-13, 2016.

Join them on Capitol Hill to talk about top public policy issues that affect restaurants aiming to help elected officials understand what it takes to run a restaurant business today. The agenda will include the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s Gala Awards Dinner, which honors winners of the 2016 Faces of Diversity and Restaurant Neighbor awards.

Join hundreds of your industry peers and colleagues talking about the issues that matter to your restaurant company. Gain valuable political insights and get a better understanding of how today’s top legislative issues will affect your business -- and your bottom line -- in the coming year.

These two days in Washington, D.C., are a great investment you can make in your business. The NRA Public Affairs Conference is THE event for leaders in our industry to join forces and carry the industry’s message to Congress on behalf of restaurateurs nationwide.

For more information, contact ARHA at 334.244.1320.

2016 AH&LA LEGISLATIVE ACTION SUMMIT MAY 17-18, 2016 | MARRIOTT MARQUIS, WASHINGTON, D.C. AH&LA’s Legislative Action Summit (LAS) remains the most effective way to voice the strength of the lodging industry to key policymakers in Washington, and in recent years we have seen direct and impressive results from our visits to Capitol Hill. Our issues are too important to leave to others; it is your responsibility as a leader in our industry to attend.

Co-hosted with AAHOA, LAS educates new lawmakers about the hotel industry and ensure our allies on Capitol Hill are in tune with our industry’s needs.

No other conference offers the same level of access, insight, and influence. Join with other hotel owners, general managers, and CEOs to tell Congress why the lodging industry is vital.

For more information, contact ARHA at 334.244.1320.

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Taste of River Region 2016 March 6, 2016 • Montgomery Renaissance Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center

The 2016 Taste of the River Region was held on Sunday, March 6 with over 700 in attendance. The event was held at the Montgomery Renaissance Hotel & Spa Convention Center with almost 40 food and beverage vendors marketing their restaurants and products.

The 2016 winners are: 1.

Best Appetizer Entrée: A Catered Affair - Roasted Red Pepper Dip

2. Best Chicken Entrée: Baumhower’s - Black & White Chicken 3.

Best Pork Entrée: Papa Roc’s Meatballs

4. Best Seafood Entrée: D’Road Cafe - Ceviche (Fish in Lime) 5. Best Beef Entree: Outback Steakhouse - Victoria Filets 6. Best Soup/Chowder: Eastside Grill - Seafood Gumbo 7. Best Southern Fixins: (Side Dish) Martha’s Place - Collards, Black eye Peas, Mac & Cheese, Cornbread 8. Best Speciality Drink: Luke Lea Beverage 9. Best Dessert: Carver High School Culinary -Red Velvet Cupcakes 10. Best Decorated Booth: Cupcakes by Tish

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JAMES BEARD SEMIFINALISTS INCLUDE 5 FROM ALABAMA Includes 1 Alabama restaurant, 4 chefs The James Beard Foundation has announced the semifinalists for 2016 restaurant and chef awards, and Alabama is well represented. There are 20 semifinalists in each category, and the field will be narrowed to five finalists on March 15 and the winners will be announced at the annual James Beard Foundation Awards ceremony on May 2 in Chicago.

THE 2016 ALABAMA SEMIFINALISTS ARE: BEST CHEF IN THE SOUTH 1.

Chef Bill Briand of Fisher’s Upstairs at Orange Beach Marina

2.

Chef David Bancroft, Acre in Auburn (ARHA member)

3.

Chef Rob McDaniel of SpringHouse in Alexander City (nominated four times)

OUTSTANDING PASTRY CHEF Chef Dolester Miles, Highlands Bar and Grill in Birmingham (nominated three times)

OUTSTANDING RESTAURANT Highlands Bar and Grill, Birmingham (nominated seven times)

Chef Bill Briand

Chef David Bancroft

Chef Rob McDaniel

Chef Dolester Miles

Highlands Bar and Grill, Birmingham

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EMPLOYMENT LAW

BY BRICKER S. DAUGHTRY | CARR ALLISON

SHOW ME THE MONEY.

WHY THE EEOC WANTS TO KNOW WHAT YOU PAY YOUR EMPLOYEES

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n late January 2016, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) announced that it wants more information from you about your employees. Federal regulations already require employers with one hundred or more employees to report certain information to the EEOC. Presently, the EEOC requires qualified employers to disclose the gender and race of full – time and part – time employees employed as executives, senior level officials, managers, first or midlevel officials and managers, professionals, technicians, sales workers, administrative support workers, craft workers, operatives, laborers and helper and service workers.

The EEOC’s proposed changes, if implemented, will require employers to disclose aggregate data on pay ranges and number of hours worked.

The EEOC considers the collection of additional data to be “a significant step forward in addressing discriminatory pay practices” that will “help employers in evaluating their pay practices to prevent pay discrimination and strengthen enforcement of our federal anti-discrimination laws.”

The measure will likely result in a crackdown on purported discriminatory pay practices by the EEOC. The measure will also place an added burden on employers who already expend precious time and money to compile the already extensive EEO-1 reports.

It should be noted that federal involvement in wage discrimination is nothing new. In fact, wage discrimination based on gender has been unlawful for over fifty years. In 1963, Congress passed the Equal Pay Act. The Act prohibited employers from paying male and female workers different wages for jobs which required equal skill, effort, and responsibility, and which were performed under similar working conditions. However, employers could still pay different wages to employees on the basis of a seniority system, a merit system, a system which measured earnings by quantity or quality of production, or a differential based on any other factor other than sex. One year later, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed into law. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 offers broad prohibitions against discrimination on the basis of gender and other protected traits.

Title VII prevents employers from discriminating against employees in the terms and conditions of their employment, which may give employees another avenue to bring claims for pay discrimination.

Gender pay equality continues to be a source of great debate. Women’s rights advocates argue that women are discriminated against on the basis of gender. Advocates cite as evidence the fact that women make around seventy – eight cents for every dollar made by a man in the same job. On the other hand, economists argue

that the differences in pay between men and women are attributable to the types of jobs that attract women because of their historical role as “caregivers.” Claudia Golden, a Professor of Economics at Harvard explained that women and men when hired immediately after college, earn nearly identical wages. However, Golden notes that women are traditionally called upon to raise children or to care for aging parents. Professor Golden hypothesizes that the “caregiver” role requires women to seek jobs with flexible schedules or that do not require travel for work. Ann Marie Slaughter, a distinguished scholar in public policy noted that women’s need for flexibility or inability to travel may prevent women from receiving the same compensation or the same promotion frequency as men. Whether the gender pay gap is a result of discrimination against women, or has another non- discriminatory explanation, the debate rages on.

The Obama Administration has taken a stance on the issue by creating the “President’s National Equal Pay Task Force.” The task force was created to “crack down on violations of equal pay laws . . . [by] bringing together the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), the Department of Justice (“DOJ”), the Department of Labor (“DOL”), and the Office of Personnel Management (“OPM”).” The Task force

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ARHANOW Show Me the Money cont. proposed the changes to the EEO-1 reporting as a means of combating pay discrimination in the workplace.

The EEOC’s proposed changes to the EEO-1 reporting requirement were announced on the seventh anniversary of the signing of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. The Ledbetter Act was among the first legislation signed by President Obama. The act lengthens the time period during which employees must file a claim alleging wage discrimination, or be forever barred by the statute of limitations.

The EEOC’s proposed changes to the EEO-1 reporting requirements were published in the Federal Register on February 1, 2016. The publication in the Federal Register marked the beginning of a sixty day comment period during which employers and other interested persons or groups may submit comments or concerns relating to the EEOC’s proposed changes. The window for public comment expires on April 1, 2016, after which time the EEOC will formulate the final rule with which employers must comply. The proposed changes will require employers to include pay data beginning with employers’ September 2017 EEO-1 report. It is important to note that the EEOC’s proposed changes will not affect EEO1 data which must be collected by employers for their September 2016, report. Changes to the EEO-1 reporting will enhance the already substantial burden placed on employers and may even land employers in hot water with the EEOC.

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Bricker S. Daughtry, a Shareholder with Carr Allison’s Birmingham office, practices in the professional liability and labor/employment arenas, focusing his practice on professional liability, Title VII discrimination, Section 1981, FMLA, FLSA, retaliatory discharge, NLRB, OSHA, EEOC, restrictive covenants and workers’ compensation cases.

He has an AV Preeminent rating through Martindale-Hubbell.

U.S. EQUAL EMP’T OPPORTUNITY COMM’N, EEOC Announces Proposed Addition of Pay Data to Annual EEO–1 Reports, (Jan. 29, 2016), http://www1.eeoc.gov//eeoc/newsroom/release/1-29-16. cfm?renderforprint=1.

U.S. EQUAL EMP’T OPPORTUNITY COMM’N, Standard Form 100 REV. January 2006, Employer Information Report EEO-1 Instruction Booklet, www.eeoc.gov/employers/eeo1survey/2007instructions.cfm Id. U.S. EQUAL EMP’T OPPORTUNITY COMM’N, supra note 1.

Id. U.S. EQUAL EMP’T OPPORTUNITY COMM’N, The Equal Pay Act of 1963, http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/statutes/epa.cfm.

Id. Id. U.S. EQUAL EMP’T OPPORTUNITY COMM’N, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/statutes/titlevii.cfm.

County of Wash. v. Gunther, 452 U.S. 161 (1981) (female prison guard’s claim for wage discrimination properly brought under Title VII rather than the Equal Pay Act when job duties were not equal).

Marcy Syms, Are We Fired Up Yet?, HUFFPOST POLITICS (Nov. 18, 2015, 5:22 PM), http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marcy-syms/are-wefired-up-yet_b_8586142.html.

FREAKONOMICS, The True Story of The Gender Pay Gap (Jan. 7, 2016, 9:57 AM), http://freakonomics.com/.

Id. Id. Id. Id. Id. THE WHITE HOUSE, National Equal Pay Enforcement Task Force, https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/rss_viewer/equal_pay_ task_force.pdf.

Id. See U.S. EQUAL EMP’T OPPORTUNITY COMM’N, supra note 1.

Id.

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In their own words:

Why choose UnitedHealthcare?

Exclusive health care pricing and solutions for ARHA members from UnitedHealthcare Together, the Alabama Restaurant & Hospitality Alliance (ARHA) and UnitedHealthcare offer special advantages for your business: } Health care reform guidance and solutions around the Affordable Care Act } Exclusive savings on standard group medical plans and specialty benefits } Wellness programs and services } Bilingual resources for Hispanic/Latino owners, operators and employees Find out what the ARHA and UnitedHealthcare can do for your business, and why others in the hospitality industry are choosing UnitedHealthcare for their health care solutions.

Contact your broker, the ARHA or Kimberlee Vandervoorn at (301) 865-7058 or kvandervoorn@uhg.com.

“When it comes to the field of health care, we live in unprecedented times. Both the regulatory and business landscapes are shrouded by a dense fog of uncertainty. What’s more, when plotting a course for success over this rough terrain, a knowledgeable and trustworthy guide is a virtual necessity. At Firehouse Subs, we concluded long ago that the best course of action was to turn a negative into a positive. We took a leadership position in assessing the impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and devised a course of action that we believe will help us achieve our business goals of growing sales and improving profitability.

We felt so confident in our chosen course that we implemented the offer of qualifying insurance coverage for our hourly employees in 2014 (choosing not to take advantage of the one-year delay granted by the Obama administration).

During our many months of studying the ACA and formulating our plan, the support we received from the team at UnitedHealthcare was invaluable. UnitedHealthcare stood side by side with us to help us understand the ever-shifting tenets of the ACA; they were our “go-to” resource.

From beginning to end, they differentiated themselves from their competitors by demonstrating their desire to understand the needs of our business. And along the way, they helped us educate our franchise community and arm them with the knowledge they need to make a quality decision about their own path. And finally, as we moved toward the finish line of finalizing the products we would offer our employees, they proved themselves to be a superior choice in the marketplace. I highly recommend UnitedHealthcare for any business seeking a valued partner in today’s challenging business environment.”

Don Fox, Chief Executive Officer Firehouse of America, LLC (dba Firehouse Subs), Jacksonville, Florida UnitedHealthcare customer

©2015 United HealthCare Services, Inc. Insurance coverage provided by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or its affiliates. Administrative services provided by United HealthCare Services, Inc. or their affiliates. Health Plan coverage provided by or through a UnitedHealthcare company. 8/15 UHCAL752782-000